A Wisconsin bill to authorize Licensure of Dental Therapists, a mid-level provider on the oral health team similar to a Physician Assistant on the medical team, has been introduced in Wisconsin in multiple legislative sessions, which WPHCA supports. We expect Dental Therapy to be re-introduced in 2023. The Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition, in partnership with Children's Wisconsin, Delta Dental of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association (WPHCA), provided an introductory webinar about Dental Therapists and their impact on improving oral health access on January 24. A Dentist and Dental Therapist right across the border in Minnesota share their experiences with this provider type and the impact on improving access to high-quality oral health care.  

More than half of states in the U.S. provide a full year of Medicaid coverage for post-partum women. In Wisconsin, coverage only extends 60 days after the birth of a child. Evidence shows that maintaining high-quality, consistent coverage at this complex time is important in promoting health not only for the mother but her infant, also. North Dakota is the latest state to add coverage as of January 11, 2023.  

Last week, a bill was circulated for co-sponsorship that would extend Medicaid coverage to one year post-partum for pregnant women. Please support LRB-1377/1 and LRB-0324/1, sponsored by Senators Ballweg and Felzkowski and Representatives Rozar and Kurtz. Last session, a bipartisan group of more than 40 state legislators supported the bill. The deadline for co-sponsorship is Feb. 15. Please sign on today! 

Did you know? In 2021, Wisconsin Community Health Centers served:

• 3,308 Veterans
• 5,784 people experiencing homelessness
• 1,126 seasonal agricultural workers
• 3,857 school-based patients

Each year, Community Health Centers submit data on the visits they provide and other clinical and patient measures. WPHCA compiles this information in an annual Uniform Data Set brochure, which is now available.  

Find a Community Health Center Near You!

WPHCA is proud to serve Wisconsin's 19 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) also known as Community Health Centers (CHCs). Community Health Centers around the state have been deploying every tool available to continue providing care to patients throughout the pandemic. This newsletter includes information on Community Health Centers' priorities, resources, and stories from patients and clinics.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to WPHCA with any questions or to request additional information and constituent support to identify primary care providers. Find your local clinic here. 

THANK YOU!



If you’re interested in discussing any of the legislation above or other policy priorities, please connect with WPHCA’s Government Relations Specialist:

Richelle Andrae

randrae@wphca.org

(608) 571-6168

Did you miss our last update? Find the October 2022 Lawmaker Update here and all Quarterly Newsletters and Press Releases here.